Western appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1885-18??, 1887-05-21


Last week Mr.. William A. Hazel, a
gentleman in appearance, and in every
sense of the word, was refused accom-
modations at the Clarendon and the
Astoria hotels; for no other reason than
the fact that he is a colored man, We
thought that the great city of st. Paul
was free from the damnable colorphobia
that makes living in the South so dis
$ tasteful to intelligent colored people;
and, it is with no little chagrin and
modification, that we are compelled to
herald the fact to the world, that it is
here in SO glaring form.
We do not intend to sit supinely and
mourn over the state of affairs, but pur-
pose to learn if there is civil justice to
be obtained, for human being upon
whom God has seen fit to place dusky
skin. There is civil rights law upon
the statute books of the State of Mime
sofa, and it is the intention of Mr.. Hazel,
to bring a suit under the same not alone
to punish these prejudiced landlords,
by forcing them to pay heavy damages
for the outrage perpetrated, but to
establish the principle, that we are citi-
zens of this common wealth, and do not
intend to be debarred from our priv
ieges as such.
This is matter that affects the whole
people both colored and white. We
wish to learn if on account of the acct
dent of color we are to be treated as
tramps and outcasts from decent society.
We wish to learn if the proprietors of
places of public accommodation, oper-
ating under the laws of the State, can
insult and outrage it's decent, respect
able, law abiding citizens with impunity.
Just think Of it! A gentleman, re-
fined and intelligent-even above the
average-wishing to secure place to
sleep, with money enough to pay for
the accommodation; goes to a hotel
which has been licensed as public
house, under the laws of the state, and
is refused, because he happens to be
colored. More than that, he is insulted
by the clerk and the proprietor, and
then, to add injury to insult, is arrested
and dragged off to the station by brutal
policeman, and placed in fe!ons cell to
remain all night, and has the companions
ship of lousy tramp forced upon him.
He is treated as criminal just be-
cause he objects to being insulted and
outraged by a public inn-keeper. We
do not believe public sentimentup holds
such treatment; we know the law does
not. It is no more black mans fault
that he is born back than it is white
mans that lie is born white, that is a
matter controlled by the All-wise Creator,
who made US of different shades of color,
for the furtherence of His own ends.
and is a matter which we weak mortals
cannot control
We are American citizens we have to
bear our share of the burdens and we
intend to enjoy our share of the privi-
leges Of our citizenship. We do not
speak for Mr.. Hazel, nor for ourself, but
we voice the sentiments ofevery colored
man, woman and child in this city, each
of whom desires equal privileges to all,
exclusive privileges to none.
5 We know there are some humane
people in this community; we know
there are some who believe in the
Brotherhood of man; we know there
are some who honestly feel we should
have equal and exact civil rights; and to
such we appeal for help and assistance.
We speak for every colored citizen in
the city, and we intend to test the law
and the sentiment of the people, and
we intend to fight it out ON this line if
it takes all summer.